What's On

What’s on in the rest of Ulster

Discover what’s on in the rest of Ulster for visual arts with our insider guide: explore contemporary exhibitions at Letterkenny’s Regional Cultural Centre and immersive gallery shows at Donegal’s bustling art studios; join the renowned Donegal Open Studios trail to meet local painters and sculptors in their creative spaces; hone your skills in Cavan with hands-on printmaking and ceramics workshops at Bluestacks Studios; and wander Monaghan’s sculpture trails and pop-up street-art festivals in the town centre. From curator-led tours at Cavan County Museum’s seasonal exhibits to artist-talk series in Monaghan’s Garage Studios, our roundup brings you weekly updates on gallery openings, limited-edition craft fairs, and collaborative installation projects across Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan. Perfect for collectors, creators, and culture seekers, stay ahead with early-bird tickets to specialist masterclasses and exclusive “behind-the-canvas” events. Elevate your artistic calendar today with our all-in-one “What’s On in Ulster” visual arts resource—your gateway to Ireland’s hidden creative gems.

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AIB Portrait Prize | Exhibition at the Regional Cultural Centre

AIB Portrait Prize | Exhibition at the Regional Cultural Centre

01/04/2026 - 20/06/2026
Regional Cultural Centre
Cove Hill, Port Road, , Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 C8HD

Exhibition continues until 20/06/2026.

The AIB Portrait Prize and AIB Young Portrait Prize bring outstanding contemporary portraiture from the National Gallery of Ireland to Letterkenny. Featuring shortlisted artists selected by an expert panel of judges, the exhibition celebrates excellence, innovation and strong local representation, while reflecting the vitality of portrait practice across Ireland today.

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On-going
AIB Portrait Prize | Exhibition at the Regional Cultural Centre

AIB Portrait Prize | Exhibition at the Regional Cultural Centre

01/04/2026 - 20/06/2026
Regional Cultural Centre
Cove Hill, Port Road, , Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 C8HD

Exhibition continues until 20/06/2026.

The AIB Portrait Prize and AIB Young Portrait Prize bring outstanding contemporary portraiture from the National Gallery of Ireland to Letterkenny. Featuring shortlisted artists selected by an expert panel of judges, the exhibition celebrates excellence, innovation and strong local representation, while reflecting the vitality of portrait practice across Ireland today.

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Whispers of the Countryside | Paul Galligan at the Townhall Arts Centre Gallery

Whispers of the Countryside | Paul Galligan at the Townhall Arts Centre Gallery

08/06/2026 - 30/07/2026
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Townhall Arts Centre Gallery
Townhall Street, Cavan, H12 WV82

Exhibition continues until Friday, 10th July 2026.

A solo exhibition by Paul Galligan, designed by Mark St. John Ellis.

Paul’s work consists of large-scale charcoal and soft pastel drawings that focus on the local Irish rural landscape.

He approaches these subjects as individual presences, creating oversized images that generate an almost three-dimensional effect. The drawings are highly physical and expressive. He walks the surrounding roads and farms, photographing in monochrome, from which the artworks are developed.

Farm animals, along with the ever-eroding trees and ditches – familiar yet often overlooked, intimate yet utilitarian – occupy a complex position within Irish culture. By isolating and enlarging these subjects, the artist seeks to grant them a sense of directness and authority, encouraging viewers to acknowledge their presence. Charcoal is central to the process. Its immediacy and fragility mirror the subjects’ vulnerability.

Rather than presenting an idealised rural image, the work acknowledges the quiet realities of coexistence between humans, animals, and land. In a time of environmental uncertainty and shifting relationships with agriculture, these drawings invite a pause – a moment to look closely at lives that are deeply interwoven with our own.

Open 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Friday.
12pm to 4pm Saturday or by appointment
.

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